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Of Caution and Rules

After some thought, prayer and discussion surrounding the topic of my last post, I thought it might be a good idea to do a follow-up post. When things like purity, holiness, and the like are brought up it can be an uncomfortable topic for many. It can prick the conscience of some and anger others. I am so thankful to have a few brothers and sisters in Christ willing to discuss things on my mind without it turning into a huge issue. So thanks to those who listen or read what’s going on in my head, it means a lot to me!

The first thing I should probably address is directed towards new followers of Christ or those who are still at the beginning part of their journey with Him. If you happened to read my last post or anything like it, then please be cautious. It can be easy to assume that there are a lot of rules to follow and/or that you aren’t doing enough. Please know that the only thing you need to “worry” about is love God, and loving your neighbor. God will do the rest!

I have been a Christian since I was 12, and seriously started pursuing God about 10 years ago. Since then I have been on quite the path, some good and some bad. There have been times where I did whatever I wanted and other times I had so many self-imposed rules that I nearly drowned. I can say that both were not healthy and following all those rules did NOT make me feel any closer to God. We have to be careful that we don’t abuse our freedom and use it to sin all we want. We also can’t go around making up rules to follow or following what others are doing because they look like they have it all together (because no matter how conservative or “separate” they are or how perfect they seem, they DO NOT have it all together).

I don’t have it all together, but I am on this journey. Along the way God has told me to do certain things or stay away from others, not because He wants me to have some rule to follow. He wants me to be obedient to Him, and sometimes that takes a little practice in smaller areas. I don’t do things to so I can “be saved”, I hope I don’t do them because man told me to. I want to do the things God tells me to because I love Him. One of the wonderful things about God, is that He deals with each one of individually, so each person may be asked to do different things at different times. He knows that we each have unique lessons to learn, and He knows how to accomplish teaching us those lessons!

To those beyond the beginning, we do have to be cautious about how we present our thoughts and opinions on stuff. We can’t go around using free speech just because we can. We have to keep in mind our words are powerful, and if we are not careful we could lead someone astray. The last thing I want is to post something and someone take it to mean they need to follow this rule and that rule to get to where I am at. It’s difficult for the “baby” Christians to see what we have been through to get to where we are, just like it’s difficult for us to see how our parents got to where they are at in their lives. We have to be careful not to load them up with “do’s and don’t’s” and encourage them to seek and love God for themselves. If they need correction for a serious sin or other possible issue, then biblical protocol should be used and it has to be done in love. It can be tough at times, but we do have a responsibility to help our family in Christ develop. Like I said, let’s give things thought before we speak. I know that there are times I need that reminder too.

Some Scripture that might be helpful in what I am talking about can be found in Romans. There are a lot of good things in that book related to the Law and grace and dealing with brothers and sisters in Christ. Romans 14 is by far one of my favorites when dealing with differences of beliefs of what we are supposed to be doing.

And finally:

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”
(Romans 15:1-3)